Alan Pardew will urge his side to “capitalise” on Manchester United’s shaky defence as they bid to end more than 40 years of hurt at Old Trafford

Alan Pardew will urge his side to “capitalise” on Manchester United’s shaky defence as they bid to end more than 40 years of hurt at Old Trafford.

The Newcastle United manager is hoping to become the first man since Joe Harvey to lead the Magpies to victory against the Red Devils at the so-called Theatre of Dreams.

However, while United’s record against Sir Alex Ferguson’s side is poor in the north west, Pardew is looking to expose gaps. He told the Chronicle: “One clean sheet in 15 games offers us the opportunity and shows it is not impossible to score against them.

“We carry a threat. There is no doubt about that.

“We can score there and it is going to be about how we defend really. I think we will get a goal.”

Pardew may be without his most creative forces in Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye, but the Toon boss feels in Demba Ba, Papiss Cisse and Shola Ameobi he has the ammunition to cause the Red Devils a few problems.

He added: “United have been vulnerable all year defensively. Some of their goals with the back four and the goalkeeper have not been as secure as teams of the past.

“Sir Alex Ferguson has been quoted as saying that.

“There is nothing we will not try to capitalise on.

“We will try to capitalise on everything if we can.

“There is no point not packing the defence and not offering a threat, because it is probably the best route to winning the game.”